A University of Minnesota constitutional law professor says the Supreme Court ruling allowing a web designer to refuse to work with same-sex couples opens the door for more companies to discriminate.
"A pretty big door, I would say," said Jill Hasday, talking with WCCO's Adam Carter.
The high court's conservative majority ruled on Friday that a Christian graphic artist who wants to design wedding websites can refuse to work with same-sex couples.
One of the court’s liberal justices wrote in a dissent that the decision’s effect is to “mark gays and lesbians for second-class status” and could lead the way for further discrimination.
"Let's be frank about it," Hasday said. "There will be follow-up suits attempting to extend this precedent beyond things like websites. And it's just an open question how far it will extend."
She was asked if it's possible that a restaurant can post a sign that homosexuals would not be served.
"I think, potentially, yes" Hasday said.
A similar challenge before the Supreme Court in 2018 protected gay rights.
Hazday says the difference now is that the high court is now conservative-leaning.
She also says Justice Antonin Kennedy, who was a champion for same-sex rights, is no longer on the court.
The court ruled 6-3 for designer Lorie Smith despite a Colorado law that bars discrimination based on sexual orientation, race, gender and other characteristics.
Smith had argued that the law violates her free speech rights.
Smith’s opponents warned that a win for her would allow a range of businesses to discriminate, refusing to serve Black, Jewish or Muslim customers, interracial or interfaith couples or immigrants.
But Smith and her supporters had said that a ruling against her would force artists — from painters and photographers to writers and musicians — to do work that is against their beliefs.